Phonograph brake



R. 6. BROWN, PHONOGRAPH BRAKE.

APPLICATION FlLED sEPT- 15, I916- RENEWED NOV. 26,1920.

1,%19,214. v Patented June 13, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

3 ili INVENTOR RM 6. B

Y ATTORNEY R. G. BROWN.

PHONOGRAPH BRAKE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT- 15. i916. RENEWED NOV. 26 1920.

Patented June 13, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- L 5 ,7 INVENTOR Ra-12w? G. BM

y ATTORNEY WWW t r tii ld l @FHCE.

ROBERT Gr. BRO'WN, OF GEORGE SCHOOL. PEIQ'NSYLVANIA, ASSIG-NOB, TO JOHNE.

ST REITELMEIER, O1? CINCINNATI, OHIO.

PHONOGRAPl-I BRAKE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented J 13 1922 original applicationfiled January 18, 1915, Serial No. 2,884. Divided and this applicationfiled September 15, 1916, Serial No. 120,305. Renewed November 26, 1920.Serial No. 426,604.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Ronnnr G. Brown, acitizen of the United States, and residing at George School, in thecounty of Bucks and State oi Pennsylvania, have invented a new andImproved Phonograph Brake, of which the following specification is afull disclosure.

This is a division of my copending application No. 52834; filed January18th, 1915, and this case covers more particularly the mechanismincluding especially the brake element and the means for automaticallycontrolling and operating the same.

One object of this invention is to provide a mechanism adapted first tobe set in op-. eration and then after a predetermined time interval toin turn cause a brake element to function in stopping the turn-table ofa phonograph.

The primary object is to provide a mechanism that will very effectivelyenable a ven record to be automatically replayed as many times asdesired and then to automatically stop the machine.

Another object is to provide a unitary self-contained mechanism whichcan easily be applied to a conventional type of phonograph and whichwill render the same automatic to the extent of enabling it to replay arecord any predetermined number of times and then to automatically stopthe operation of the machine.

An object of the herein illustrated specific embodiment of thisinvention is to pro *ide a mechanism that will normally oe entirely freefrom the turn-table. but which by anap n'opriatc electrical ormechanical latch *will be thrown into engagement with said ing mechanisminto action preferably by turn-table power, to lift the stylus andreplace it at the beginning of the record, and to combine with saidmechanism an adjust ing instrumentality capable of determining thenumber of such replaying operations and of causing a brake automaticallyto stop the phonograph.

I Other objects will be in part obvious from the annexed drawings and inpart indicated in connection therewith by the following analysis of thisinvention.

This invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combination of parts and in the unique relations of the members and inthe relative proportioning and disposition thereof; all as morecompletely outlined herein.

To enable others skilled in the art so fully to comprehend theunderlying features thereof that they may embody the same by thenumerous modifications in structure and relation contemplated hv thisinvention, drawin q's depicting a preferredform have been annexed as apart of this disclosure, and in such drawings. like characters ofreference denote corresponding parts throughout all the views, of whichFig. 1 is a plan view diagrammatically illustrating a conventionalsound-arm, record and turn-table with my invention as an attachmentapplied thereto. Fig. 2 is an en larged planof a mechanism embodying myimprovement. Fig. 3 is front elevation thereof. Fig. 4 is a left-endelevation with the casing; in section. Fig. 5 is a plan. similar to Fig.showing the transmission unit in. its tripped motion-receiving position.and showing some of the parts broken away to more clearly show thedetails of the escape/merit device. Fig. 6 is a right-end elevation,with the casing in sect-ion. Fig. 7 is a front elevation, with thecasing in section to more fully show the brake mechanism. Fig. 8 is adetailed elevation-of the counting wheel showing its bevelledratchetreleasing nose. Fig. 9 is a plan of the sound conveying arm andof a modified construction of stop mechanism therefor.

Continuingby way of a more detailed analysis, it may be noted that thisinvention comprehends a trip or contact system which may operate eitherelectrically or mechanically .but which preferably operates through acontact element secured directly to each record, thereby avoiding thenecessity of adjusting the mechanism whenever the records are changed.

Preferably, the lifting mechanism is normally disconnected from thesource of power so as to avoid wear of constantly running wheels and tothat end the attachment is provided with a wheel which is normally outof action but which can be shifted to engage the periphery of theturn-table and act to transmit power to the mechanism during the workingperiods.

lileferring to the drawings 1 indicates an element which is drivenultimately by the conycntional phonograph motor and in this embodimentit is convenient to utilize the turn-table itself as the source ofmotion and throw a frictional clutch to connect and disconnect thestylus-lifting mechanism therewith. A. great advantage of this lies inthe facility with which this instrument can be attached by any ordinaryuser to any conventional phonograph. Such phonograph will alsoconventionally embody a suitable tone arm l; adapted to swing about avertical axis over the record. 5 and carrying a sound-box 3 having theusual stylus 2; the whole being so arranged that the stylus can remainin the groove or be uplifted therefrom, this being here accomplished byhaving the sound-box carrier or gooseneck pivoted to the tone-arm toswing about a horizontal axis. This invention embodies means which willlift the soundbox carrier about its horizontal axis in combination withmeans for swinging the tone arm about its vertical axis back to theinitial or starting point.

This invention contemplates a general,

mechanism adapted to enter into combination with the above-namedconventional elements to function as above stated, and spe array be anymotor driven element;

a trip system which effective automatically to throw the power connectorinto action at the appropriate station in the record; (F) a controllever which automatically effects a disconnection of the power connectorand normalizes the relation of the trip to the mechanism; an adjusterwhich predetermines the number of times the mechanism operates to replaythe record; and (H) a brake which is conveniently caused to oper ate toconclude the performance.

These will be described in order.

The sound box lifter, as shown by Fig. 1, consists of a davit 11 whichis formed of tubing bent L-shaped and having its lower end journalled ina bearing 9 formed by a boss projecting from the base-plate 15. Thisbase-plate is mounted adjacent the base of the tone-arm 4 so that thehorizontal upper end of the davit may extend towards the tone-arm andterminate over the same in a relation which will presently be more fullyexplained. A tension element such as the cord 12 (containing leading inand out wires) is anchored to the extremity of the davit 11 and also toan appropriate part of the sound-box 3, such as the upper side thereofand the extremity of the davit 11 is sutliciently higher than the axis 4so that a pull on the cord 12 will lift the arm 4t about its horizontalaxis, thus elevating the-stylus. This davit has an arm 16 wereby it maybe oscillated by the motion transmitting mechanism.

The tone arm shifter is for the purpose.

of causing the tone -arm to swing back to its starting position and, toavoid scratching the record by the stylus, this movement should notbegin until the stylus has been raised clear of the record. Thisinvention contemplates a means that will come effectively into actiononly after the stylus has been raised and in this particular embodimentgreat simplicity has been attained by intimately incorporating thismeans with the stylus lifter, and this has been done by a peculiarrelation between the axes 11 and a of the davit and tone-arm,respectively and the arc of swing of the point 11. That is to say in itsnormal or stylus lowering position the davit 11 is in such a positionthat the straight line from the point 11 to the point 12 is insubstantially dead center relation with the axis 4, but when the davit11 swings into the position shown by Fig 1 this straight line becomes inoffset relation with the axis lwiththe result that a pull on the cord 12not only tends to lift the stylus but also imposes a turning movement onthe tone-arm and urges it gently yet sufliciently towards its initialposition.

The motion transmission is the mechanism or train of elements thatresults in the actuation of the stylus-replacing means by power derivedfrom some motor-driven part, such as the turn-table 1; and whichpreferably embodies reduction gears so that the ultimate motion will beslow and deliberate and the stylus will be handled gently and withoutjerks and save the record from scratches. In this embodiment, thistransmission is in part stationary and in part is bodily shiftable forpower-connecting purposes. The Stationary part comprises a shaft 19pivoted at its lower end in the base of the main frame or casting 15 andat its upper end to the cover-plate 20 which is also fixed to said frameby means of the posts 21 and 22. The upper end of this shaft 19 isprovided with an eccentric pin 19 which is connected with the end of thearm 16 by means of the link 17 whereby the davit 11 may be rockedslowly. This shaft 19 derives motion from the clutch element or wheel 29through a train of reduction gears 24:, 25, 26 and 27, the shafts ofwhich are all pivoted to the side plates 23 of a rocking-frame. Both.gear sets 2 l n5 and 2627 have a pronounced reduction effect with theconsequence that the cranlepin 19 is but very slowly turned, althoughthe friction wheel 29 may rotate several times during each revolution ofthe turn-table.

The power connector is an arrangement in the nature of a clutch and itenables the turn-table to operate during the normal playing of a recordwithout any concomitant operation of the return mechanism. Preferablythis means is located so as to disconnect as many parts as possible fromthe source of motion, to avoid needless wear or noise, and preferablythe wheel 29 is therefore entirely withdrawn from the turntable. This isconveniently done by pivoting the plates 23 of the sub-frame to theshaft 19 so that the shaft 28 of the friction wheel will be carried bythe remote free-swinging portion of the sub-frame.

The position of this sub-frame is in turn determined by the followingarrangement:--

The lever control for the swinging power connector functions first tounlatch and resiliently swing the sub-frame to bring the friction wheel29 into engagement with the periphery of the turntable and to maintainthis engagement until the tone-arm has been shifted to its initialpoint, and in the meanwhile to effect a relatching of the control lever,and then through the same lever to withdraw the friction wheel andpermit the record to be played without interference. This triple actionis very easily effected by the multiple fulcrum lever sys terncomprising a lever 31 which is permanently pivoted at 39 to the plate 23of the swinging sub-frame and which, in the position of the parts shownby F 2, can

(when unlatohed) be turned about the stationary fulcrum point 18 formedby a fiat er go of the cam plate 18. That is to say, the end of thelever 31 has entered a right angle notch 32 in the cam-plate 18 so thatit may rest against the edge 18 thereof which constitutes a stationaryfulcrum ena bling the lever 31 at the point to pry the plate 28 aroundthe axis 19. Normally, the lever is held against this movement by meansof a pin 33 which engages with a notch 34- of a latch pivoted at 3-6 toa frame-element and spring pressed into position by the pull of thespring 38 on the end of the arm 37. The rotation of the cam 18 beginsthe moment the wheel 29 starts to actuate the davit 11 and this rotationis anti-clockwise and immediately brings the raised portion 18 againstthe edge of the lever 31 so as to -force its end away from the shaft 19and swing the lever about the pivot 30 (the subframe remain ing still)until the latch pin 33 has passed the notch 34 in the latch 35. Thiscondition remains unchanged while the periphery of the cam-plate 18rides against the edge of the lever 31 and until the point 18 passes theend of the lever 31, whereupon the fulcrum provided by the cam 18 willhave disappeared and immediately its place is taken by the pin 33 sothat the spring now tends to turn the lever 31 around the pin 33 as afulcrum and this tends to throw the pivotal connection 80 in theopposite direction and, of course, withdraws the subframe and thefriction wheel 29 so that all motion ceases in the entire attachment.The sub-fran1e continues to withdraw until the end of the lever abutsthe part 18 again, when the position of Fig. 2 is attained. This actionhas resulted in an elevation of the stylus, a swinging of the tone-arm,and a replacement of the stylus. N ow, the stylus is in a position toreplay the record and will continue to do so until a trip system comesinto effect to release the latch 35 and cause the attachment torefunction in restoring the stylus to its initial position.

The trip system contemplates a means for causing the latch 35 to swingaside and release the pin 33 and this movement of the latch 35 may beeffected either mechanically or electrically, the latter possessing theadvantage of making it unnecessary to reset the trip adjustment when anew record disc is placed in the machine. In this embodiment, a thinbrass washer 14 is affixed to each particular record at a proper pointso that it will close the circuit between the two spring lingers 13 whenthe stylus 3 reaches the end of the sound groove. The current passesthrough the conductor which leads upwardly as indicated by 12 and issecured at 11 to the hollow arm ofthe davit 11 and it passes down thisdavit through the hollow post 9 (Fig. 6) and thence through the opening9 and the end 12 is fast to the one binding post a: of theelectro-magnet 39. The other binding post 2 may, by means of the smallwire to, be grounded to the arm 15 to complete' the circuit. Thus,whenever the contact 14 functions, the electro-magnets will retract thelatch and the resetting of the stylus will take place.

The adjuster operates to determine the number of times the record is tobe replayed; this number ranging rom one to eight, or more, according tothe construction. So far as has been explained, the above described:uiparatus would perform repeatedly an indefinite number of times, butthis invention proposes a very simple arrangement for limiting theoperation of the instrument. That to say, a brake is causedautomatically to stop the turn-tables; preferably just after the stylushas been uplifted and the tone arm returned. This brake consists of arod journalled to slide in the posts 41 and 22 and normally urged in thedirection of the turntable by the spring 4:6 so that, if otherwise free,it will advance to project its end l2 (carrying a friction surface)through the opening Zi in a post 2i and directly against the peripheryof the turn-table, thereby stopping it. This movement is restrained,however, by means of a controller having a number of teeth all which cancooperate with the periphery if) of a spiral track 4:51. This frame 43can be adjusted, with the brake rod if) by grasping the nob 4:3 and itis provided with a pointer co-operating with indication marks 51. it ow,during each single revolution of the track 4 5, the end 4? will receiveand pass one tooth, and if there be three teeth to pass then theinstrumentwill operate three times before the brake is released by thesharp nose -7 which rides under and lifts up the smooth portion 418. Thereleasing point depends upon the location of the end l7 of the trackand. this will preferably be such that the davit will be moved to itsuplift position.

For the purpose of limiting the swing of the sound conveying arm, Iprovide a stop member 52 journaled on an upright stud 53, which alsoserves as a securing member for the shelf 20. This stop member has an Lshaped head 5%, having a short and long arm, and may be turned on theupright to bring either into the path of movement of the sound conveyingarm, alternately serving for relatively different standard sizes ofrecords. While the stop is only adapted for use with records of twodifferent diameters it may be interchanged with a stop member havingstop arms of different lengths to accommodate records of any size.

In Fig. 9, l have shown a modified form of stop provided with a springretaining clip engaging with a series of notches in the supportingupright. A rotation of the stop arm in a clockwise direction will engagethe spring clip in either of the notches, while the shape of the clipand notches will prevent retrograde movement and form a rigid abutment.

l i ithout further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gistof this invention that others can by applying current knowledge readilyadapt it for various applications without omitting certain featuresthat, from the standpoint of the prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention,and therefore such adaptations should and. are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalency of thefollowing claims.

Having thus revealed this invention, I claim as new and desire to securethe fol lowing combinations of'steps and elements, or equivalentsthereof, by Letters Patent of the United States 1, A honographbrake-device combining a turn-table and a stylus; a mechanism operatingunder the power of said turn-table for repeatedly lifting said stylus; abrake; and an adjustment operated by said mechanism for causing saidbrake to function after said stylus has been uplifted for thepredetermined number of times.

2. A phonograph brake-apparatus c01nbining a frame adapted to be mountedadjacent a conventional turn-table; a brakeelement movably mounted onsaid frame to engage and arrest the turn-table; means also on said frameadapted to co-operate in lifting a conventional stylus; and mechanismadapted to derive motion from said turntable for operating said means togradually lift said stylus and subsequently control said brake-element.

3. A phonograph brake-apparatus combining a frame adapted to be mountedadjacent conventional turn-table; a brakeelcment movably mounted on saidframe to engage and arrest the turntable; means also on said frameadapted to co-operate in lifting a conventional stylus; mechanismadapted to derive motion from said turntable for mechanically operatingsaid means and controlling said brake-element; and means forautomatically interrupting the propelling relation between saidturn-table and said mechanism.

4-. A phonograph brake-apparatus comframe; a single-convolution wormderiving rotation from said wheel; mechanism actuated from said wheelfor repeatedly shifting the position of said 'siil)-fi'ame; a brakeelement; and a toothed part normally engaging said worm to hold saidbrake inoperative and adapted to release the same when it overrides saidworm.

6. A phonograph brake-apparatus combining a main frame; a sub-framepivoted thereto; an element pivoted to said subframe; a cam shaped stopfor limiting the movement of said element in one direction; a springurging said element against said stop and thereby effective to advancesaid sub-frame; a latch adapted to engage said element to restrain theadvance of said subframe; a wheel in said sub-frame adapted to turn saidcam first to latch said element and then to employ it in withdrawingsaid sub-frame; a worm deriving rotation from said wheel; a toothed partengaging said worm; and a brake element controlled by said engagement.

7. A phonograph brake-apparatus combining a rotatable element adapted tobe connected with. a source of motion; a frame adapted to shift saidelement; a lever adapted to turn on either one of a plurality ofcenters; a spring enabling said lever when turning about one center toadvance said frame; a latch adapted to form a fulcrum to enable saidlever to turn about it as a center and retract said frame; means forswinging said lever about said fulcrum; and a brake mechanism controlledby said element. I

8. A phonograph brake-apparatus com bining a rotatable element adaptedto be connected with a source of motion; a frame adapted to shift saidelement; a lever adapted to turn on either one of a plurality ofcenters; a connection enabling said lever when turning about one centerto advance said frame; a latch adapted to form a fulcrum to enable saidlever to turn about it as a center and retract said frame; means forswinging said lever about a third center to render said latch operative;and a brake mechanism controlled by said element.

9. A phonograph brake-apparatuscombining a shiftable frame; a leverpivoted thereto; a latch; means for swinging said lever about its pivotto engage said latch; means for moving said lever about the latch as afulcrum to shift said frame; a transmission element adapted to beconnected with a source of power by the shifting of said frame; and abrake controlled by said element.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name, as attested by the twosubscribing witnesses.

ROBERT Gr. BROWN.

ld itnesses:

FLORENCE E. Moonn, FRANK Bnnro.

